Our School's History

The newly created Diocese of Jefferson City established St. Joseph Cathedral School as an elementary school in September 1960. This was within a year and a half of the founding of St. Joseph Parish on April 6, 1958. The school opened the 1960-1961 school year with grades 1-6. Grades 7 and 8 were added in the 1961-1962 school year. The first class graduated in May 1962. The kindergarten class was added in the 1986-1987 school year. The Extended Care, Early Morning and After School programs were established with the 1986-1987 school year to meet the childcare needs of school parents. A pre-school was established in August 1995 for 4 year olds and in August 1996 for 3 year olds. The main school building constructed during the year of 1959-1960 served both as the parish church and school. The church was located on the first floor with a school on the second floor. A cafeteria was located in the basement. The first floor was converted to classrooms when the Cathedral Church was opened in 1968. A convent was constructed west of the main school building in 1960 with classrooms located in the basement. The convent now houses the parish offices, classrooms and the school library. Six classrooms, a music room, science lab, computer lab and special service classroom were added to the main school building in 1984 to meet the needs of an expanding enrollment of over 400 students. The Sisters of Mercy of Swinford, Ireland served as administrators and faculty members from 1960 until 1988. In 1988 the parish employed the first lay principal Paul Hanna. Lay teachers have served in the school from its establishment.